Compensated quick-disconnect device

ABSTRACT

1,169,599. Pipe couplings. PARKER-HANNIFIN CORP. 1 May, 1967 [17 May, 1966], No. 20120/67. Heading F2G. Apparatus for connecting two relatively movable conduits together for the transfer of fluid therethrough, e.g. in refuelling at sea from ship to ship, comprises a probe and a receiver, the probe 11 including a fluid passage therein and means normally closing the passage, latching means movably carried by the probe for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position, means for effecting movement of the latching means from the unlatched to the latched position upon introduction of the probe into the receiver 10, the probe including means for compensating against forces tending to unlatch the probe whereby a predetermined force is required to unlatch the probe irrespective of the fluid pressure during a fluid pressure transfer operation, the compensating means being defined by an axially movable sleeve exteriorly of the probe body and defining a fluid chamber therewith, the latching means being carried by the sleeve, and a passage for introducing fluid from the passage in the probe to the fluid chamber. The probe is connected to a flexible hose 12 and carried by a trolley 18 supported on a cable 17 connected between a fuel supply ship and the fuel-receiving ship, an in-haul line 21 fixed to the trolley being pulled manually or mechanically to draw the probe 11 into the receiver 10. Receiver.-This component, Fig. 17, has a generally cone-shaped entrance portion 22 formed witn an annular, inclined shoulder 39 defining a cam surface and an annular shoulder 29, and is secured to a housing 25 providing a chamber 28 which communicates with a flexible hose 14 of the fuel-receiving ship. An L-shaped arm 42, Fig. 16, mounted on the housing receives an eye or loop 47 of the cable 17 and is pivoted in a clockwise direction as seen in the figure so that a locking pin 44 of a lever 45 engages in a notch of the arm; the receiver is supported on a bulkhead 16 by an assembly 15. Probe.-An inner housing 141, within a housing 140, has at the forward end thereof fluiddirecting webs forming fluid passages 162 and an annular portion 158 between which and the annular stepped portion of a nose 166 is disposed a sealing gasket 164 against which, in the uncoupled position of the probe, is urged, by a spring 176, the end of a sleeve 175 slidable on the housing 141 and formed with a chamber 181; ports 190 permit fluid under pressure to enter the chamber to act against the shoulder 182 in the direction of arrow F2 whereby the sleeve 175 is pressure balanced. A number of identical latching means 200 includes an axially slidable carrier 201 housed in a chamber 202 and provided with flanges to which are pivotally secured latching bodies 214 carrying rollers 223, 224 and prevented from pivoting in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 17 by holddown mechanisms 230. Each of the latter is formed by a contact block 232 carried on an upwardly offset arm 231 carried by a cylinder 234 slidably received in a bore and biased outwardly by a spring 235. Also associated with each latch body 214 is a cam member 250, secured to the housing 141, having cam surfaces 251, 252. and a plurality of springs 261 housed in a chamber 263 are provided to maintain the latching means in latched or coupled relationship with the latch shoulder 29 of the receiver 10, the force of the springs being adjustable by bolts 273; to compensate for internal fluid pressure tending to uncouple the probe and receiver, the chamber is placed in fluid communication with the interior of the housing 141 by ports 280, the fluid pressure acting on a shoulder 264, when the probe and receiver are fully coupled, counterbalancing the pressure acting leftwardly, as seen in Fig. 17, within the probe and tending to separate the probe from the receiver. Fluid pressure also acts on the carrier 201 and thus load is transmitted to the roller 223 and to the shoulder 29 of the receiver. Operation.-When the probe 10 is introduced into the receiver 11 the sleeve 175 is slid to an open position by contact between the shoulder 184 of the sleeve and the ring 74 of the receiver and the rollers 223 ride along the shoulder 39 of the receiver to depress the arms 217 when the blocks 232 are brought into engagement with the shoulder 240 of the receiver to free the latching means whereby the rollers 224 are urged upwardly by cam surfaces 251 on to the cam surfaces 252 the rollers 223 being brought behind the latching shoulder 29 of the receiver. The springs 26] urged the carrier from right to left, as seen in Fig. 17, causing the probe to be introduced further into the receiver and the rollers 223 to be fully locked in the latching position by the engagement between the rollers 224 and cam surfaces 252. Coupling - indicating means. - To indicate whether or not the probe is effectively coupled or latched to the receiver the latter includes two identical means 50, Fig. 5, each comprising a pivoted body 51 biased by a spring 57 to a retracted position thereof, and a spring-loaded finger 64 the end of which, during a coupling operation, is contacted by the probe so that the body 51 is swung outwardly to visually indicate an effective coupling of the probe and receiver. Uncoupling.-The housing 25 of the receiver 10 carries means 80 for disengaging the probe from the receiver such means comprising a plunger 81 slidably received in the housing and a pivoted handle 93 which, after completion of a refueling operation, is swung away from the housing so that the ends 96 of the handle act against the plunger to cause the probe to break away from the receiver upon automatic disengagement of the latching means 200; the handle may be locked to the housing and in the inoperative position thereof. The device augments the pull exerted on a line 20, Fig. 2.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James S- Millar 2,696,993 12/1954 Buckler l37/614.06 Los Angeles, Calif. 2,709,093 5/1955 285/1 [21] Appl. No. 550,867 2,765,181 /1956 Butterfield 285/304X [22] Filed May 17, 1966 2,837,353 6/1958 Wurzburger 285/93 Patented Dec. 15,1970 3,039,794 6/1962 De Cenzo 1 285/316X [73] Assignee Parker-Hannifin Corporation 3,074,670 1/1963 Breuning 285/277X Cleveland, Ohio 3,123,099 3/1964 Breuning et al.. 285/277X acorporation otOhio 3,168,125 2/1965 Rosell 137/614.06X

Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek 54 COMPENSATED QUICK-DISCONNECT DEVICE Bwwn Ramk 28 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

[521 US. Cl 25l/l49.6;

l37/6l4061285/306 ABSTRACT: This disclosure relates to a refueling device [51 Int. Cl F161 37/23, comprising a probe and a receiver, he probe including a body 516137/06 defining a passage surrounded by an axially slidable sleeve Fleld of Search 285/1, 93, defining a fl i chamber with the body latching means carried 1023771 30413161 18; 251/1491 by the sleeve, and passage means for introducing fluid from I493 94: 137/6 the passage into the fluid chamber to assure that the probe and 344 the receiver will only be uncoupled under a predetermined uncoupling force. [56] References C'ted The receiver further includes an axially disposed rod for UNITED STATES PATENTS breaking the latching engagement between the probe and the 2,462,512 2/1949 Krone et a1. 137/614.06 receiver, and pivoting means for visually indicating proper 2,463,326 3/ l 949 Smisko et a1 281/ 1X latching engagement between the probe and the receiver.

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' sum 8 OF 8 JAMES S. MILLAR ATTORNEYS PATENTED 0501 5 I976 SHEET 7 BF 8 INVENTOR JAMES S. MILLAR ATTORNEYS l COMPENSATED QUICK-DISCONNECT DEVICE This invention relates to refueling devices and more particularly to a device especially suited for refueling at sea from ship to ship. I

At present when refueling one ship at sea by another with liquid fuel it is the practice to connect a span wire between the ships and to trolley a flexiblehose or conduit on the span wire from the delivery ship to the receiving ship. The end of the hose so trolleyed is fitted with a nozzle or probe which is automatically coupled to a receiver or coupling.

In the free-fall refueling method the necessary energy for coupling the probe and the receiver is derived from the height difference of the span wire ends between the delivering ship and the receiving ship, the latter being much lower than the former. With insufficient height between the delivery ship and the receiving ship latching between the probe and the receiver will not take place. If too great a height difference is present between the delivering and receiving ships, equipment damage can result from the excessive impact of the probe against the receiver. When performed properly and with latching engagement between the probe and the receiver on the first try, this technique of refueling is quite fast. However, many of the rigging and receiving station locations on ships prevent a positive engagement during the first attempt and several time-consuming attempts may be necessary. Under heavy weather conditions this method is difficult to control primarily because of the inability to maintain alignment between the probe and the receiver due to the bobbing motion of the two ships in the water.

As opposed to the free-fall method, the in-haul line method is a more manageable system of refueling because the engaging force between the probe and the receiver is controlled by the tension applied to an in-haul line fixed to the trolley carrying the fuel hose. This method is not limited by weather conditions, comparative size of receiving and delivering ships, or the relative height or type of rigging stations.

One major problem with both the in-haul and the free-fall methods remains the difficulty of achieving proper engagement and, when proper engagement is effected, avoiding accidental disengagement between the probe and the receiver. In conventional probe and receiver devices the engaging or latching means are unreliable and it cannot be determined by inspection whether or not complete engagement between the probe and the receiver has been effected. If the engagement between the probe and the. receiver is not complete the pressure of the fuel being pumped through the, hose can uncouple the probe and the receiver, resulting in a loss of fuel before complete fuel cutoff can be accomplished. Even in cases where the engagement between the probe and the receiver is effected properly the pressure of the fuel acting against the latching means of conventional probes and receivers tends to reduce the latching forces and accidental disengagement between the probe and the receiver takes place at lower than desired forces.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel probe and receiver which cooperate to overcome the above and numerous other disadvantages in conventional refueling devices.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a refueling device which includes a probe and a receiver, and the probe and receiver including cooperative latching means which assure effective,-complete coupling of the elements each time the probe is inserted in the receiver.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a refueling device in which the probe is provided with compensating means for assuring that the probe and the receiver will only be uncoupled under a predetennined uncoupling force, thereby preventing accidental or inadvertent uncoupling of the elements under the influence of uncoupling forces less than the predetermined uncoupling force.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a refueling device in which the receiver is provided with means which visibly indicate whether or not latching has taken place between the probe and the receiver.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a refueling device in which the receiver is provided with means for readily and rapidly disengaging the latching means by forcing the probe out of the receiver at the completion of a refueling operation.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

IN TI-lE DRAWINGS 3-3 of FIG. 1 with parts broken away for clarity, and illustrates the interior of the receiver.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3, and illustrates a mechanism for disengaging the probe from the receiver and means for visually indicating an effective coupling between the probe and the receiver.

FIG. 5 is a highly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5 5 of FIG. 3, and illustrates the position the probe and the receiver has been effected.

FIG. 6 is a highly enlarged end view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, and illustrates a trolley for supporting the probe on a span wire and latching means for coupling the probe and the receiver. 3 1

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 6', and more clearly illustrates the latching means of the probe and compensating'means for preventing unintentional uncoupling of the probe and the receiver.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8+8 of FIG. 7, and more clearly illustrates a plurality of springs of the compensating means received in an annular chamber which is in fluid communication with a main passage of the probe.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and illustrates a spider supportinga nose of the probe.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 10-10 of FIG. 7, and more clearly illustrates one of the latching means. v

FIG. 11 through 15 are schematic fragmentary views taken longitudinally of the probe and receiver during a coupling operation, and successively illustrate the movement of various components during the latching operation.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the coupled probe and receiver, with parts thereof broken away for clarity, and illustrates the elements in coupled engagement.

FIG. 17 is a highly enlarged fragmentary view partially in section and partially in side elevation of the coupled probe and receiver, and more clearly illustrates the components thereof.

The refueling device as adapted for ship to ship refueling is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, and includes a receiver or receiver coupling generally designated 10 and a nozzle or probe 11 at the end of a flexible fuel delivery hose 12. The receiver 10 is permanently installed upon a receiving ship 13 which is to receive fuel while the probe 11 and hose 12 form a part of the rigging on the fuel delivery "ship (not shown).

The receiver 10 has connected thereto a section of a flexible hose 14 which is inserted into a supply pipe (not shown) leading to a fuel tank on the ship 13. The flexible hose 14 may simply be inserted into the supply pipe or it=may be permanently attached thereto by means of suitable couplings (not shown).

of the indicating means prior to and after a coupling between A support assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 15 is connected to a bulkhead or similar support 16 and to the receiver 10. A span wire or cable 17 is connected at one end .to the support assembly 15 and at an opposite end to the delivering ship. The probe 11 is supported by a trolley 18 whichisjn turn guidably supported by the span wire 17.

In the free-fall method of delivering the probe 11 to the receiver (FIG. 1) a line 20 attached to the trolley 18 .is payed out from the delivering ship and the probe 11 and hose 12 are gravity-fed toward the receiver 10 until the probe 11 is in coupling engagement therewith.

In the iii-haul refueling procedure (FIG. 2) an in-haul line 21 is fixed at one end to the trolley 18 and an opposite end is pulled manually or automatically to draw or haul the probe 11 into the receiver 10 until coupling has been effected.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the receiver 10 includes a generally cone-shaped entrance end portion 22 having a radially outwardly directed peripheral flange 23 and an upstanding bracket 24. A main housing 25 of the receiver 10 is secured to the entrance end portion 22 by a plurality of nuts and bolts, collectively designated by the I reference numeral 26, which secure the flange 23 to a similar flange 27 of the main housing 25. The end portion 22 and the main housing 25 define a chamber 28 into which is inserted the probe 11 during a refueling operation, in the manner heretofore described. An annular shoulder or wall 29 of the main housing 25 defines a latching seat against which latching means of the probe 11 are seated for maintaining the probe and receiver in coupled engagement, as will appear fully hereafter. A similar annular and inclined shoulder 39 defines a cam surface which cooperates with probe latching means as will appear'more fully hereafter. The chamber 28 merges with a cylindrical portion 30 of the main housing 25 to which is suitably attached by conventional means (not shown) the flexible hose 14 FIGS. land 2 of the receiving ship 13.

The main housing 25 includes a vertical upstanding bracket 31 (FIGS. .4 and 16) which is in alignment with the bracket 24.

-A plate 32of the supporting assembly is fastened to each side of the bracket 24 by conventional fasteners 33.' An arm 34 is welded or otherwise secured between the plates 32 and terminates in an inverted U-shaped bracket 35 which straddles and is secured to the plate 31 by conventional fasteners 36. The plates32 are welded to each side of a bracket 37'which is in turn pivotally secured by a pivot pin 38 to a bracket 40. The bracket'40 includes an aperture 41 through which passes a pivot pin (unnumbered in FIGS. 1 and 2) fixed to the bulk head 16 of the receiving ship 13. A generally L-shaped arm 42 (FIG. 16) is pivotally mounted between the plates. 32 by a pivot pin 43. An opposite end of the arm 42 is provided with a notch (unnumbered) which receives a 'pin 44 of a locking handle 45 pivotally secured by a pivot pin 46 to the bracket 37. The arm 42, the pin 44 and handle 45 form means for securing the span wire 17 to the receiving ship 13. The span wire 17 terniinates in an eye or loop 47 which is slipped over the arm 42 when the latter is in the phantom outline position illustrated in FIG. 16 of -the'drawings and prior to the attachment of the trolley 18 to the span line 17. After the loop 47 has been slipped over the arm 42 the arm 42 is pivoted to the solid line position in FIG. 16. and the handle 45, is moved counterclockwise until the locking pin 44 engages in the notch (unnumbered) of the arm 42. In this manner the support assembly 15 supports the receiver 10 in alignment with the probe 11 during a coupling operation.

' The receiver 10 includes two identical means 50 (FIGS. 3 and 5) for-iiiisually indicating whether or not the probe 22 is effectively coupled or latched to the receiver 10. The indicating means 50 each include a body 51 (FIGS) having a projecting min 52 apertured at, 53. A pin 54 passes through the aperture 53 of the arm 52 and is fixed in aligned openings (unnumbered) of a pair of plates 55, 56 welded or otherwise secured :0 the main housing 25 (FIG. 4). Each body 51 is thereby capable of'pivoting between the solid and phantom outline positions illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

Each body 51 is normally biased to the solid line position of FIG. 5 by means of a tension spring 57 housed in a bore 58 of the body 51. One end portion of the spring 57 is secured to the body 51 at the end of the bore 58 bya pin 60 while an opposite end portion of the spring 58 is secured to a pin 61 fixed between the plates 55, 56.

Each body 51 is also bored at 62am! counterbored at 63. A finger 64is slidably received in the bore 62 and has an end portion .65 which normally projects into the chamber 28 through a generally square-shaped opening 66 (FIG. 3) in the main housing 25. The finger 64 is normally biased to the solid line position of FIGIS'by a compression spring 67 housed in the bore 63. between an enlarged head (unnumbered) of the finger 64 and a short tube or member 68 which is partially inserted within the bore 63 and fixed to the body 51 by a pin 70.

During a coupling operation a portion of the probe 11 contacts the ends 65 of each of the :fingers 64 toward the completion of the coupling operation and causes each of the bodies 51 to progressively swing about the associated pivots 54 from the solid toward the phantom outline position in FIG. 5. If complete coupling or latching is effected, as will appear more fully hereafter, the bodies 51 are swung to the phantom outline position to visually indicate an effective coupling between the probe and the receiver, as is best illustrated in FIG. 16 of the drawings. If the probe 11 is not completely coupled to the receiver 10 the bodies 51 will not be pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG. 16 or will only be partially pivoted from the normal position adjacent the main housing 25, thereby indicating that the probe and the receiver are not completely coupled.

The compression spring 67 serves as a shock absorber to prevent the probe from damaging the finger .64 due to the conventional forceful and rapid introduction of the probe into the chamber 28. Upon the-uncoupling of the probe and receiver the bodies 51 are returned from the phantom to the solid outline positions in FIG; 5 by the return spring 57.

Referring to FIGS-3 and 4 of the'drawings, the main housing 25 includes a generally circular ring 71 carrying a T- shaped annular seal.7 2 which defines a seat for the probe 11, as will be more apparent hereafter. The ring 71 includes an annular rib 73 which is held captive between a peripheral shoulder (unnumbered) of the main housing 25 and a ring 74 secured to the main housing 25 by a plurality of bolts 75 (FIG. 3).

The main housing 25 of thereceiver 10 is provided with means,- generally designated by the reference numeral disengaging means 80 includes a plunger 81 having heads 82,

83 at opposite end portions thereof. The plunger 81 is slidably received in.a bore (unnumbered) of a cylindrical plug 84 having a' peripheral flange 85. The plug 84 is received in an opening 86 defined bya cylindrical wall portion 87 of the main housing 25. The opening 86 is in axial alignment with the chamber 28, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 17 of the drawings. The plug 84 is fixed to the wall portion 87 of the main housing 25 by means of a plurality of identical bolts 88 in the manner readily apparent from FIG. 17.

A pair of arms 90,91 (FIG. 4) are positioned in generally horizontal planes and project away from the flange 85. An end portion 92 of a handle 93 is positionedbetween the arms 90, 91 and is pivotally secured thereto by means of a pivot'pi'n 94. received in an.opening 95 of the end portion 92 and openings (unnumbered) in each of the arms 90, 91. The end portion 92 of the arm 93 terminates in a rounded end 96.

An opposite end portion 97 of the handle 93 includes a projection-98 having an aperture, 100. In thelocked position of the handle 93 the projection 98 is received between a pair. of spaced projections or flanges 101, 102 of the conical entrance end portion 22. The flangesl01, 102 include aligned openings 103 and'a pin 104 ispassed through the openings 100,103 to maintain the handle 93 locked in the'position illustrated, in FIGS. 3 and 17 of the drawings. The pin 104 may be. secured to the main housing by a chain orsimilar flexible connector.

After the completion of a refueling operation the pin 104 is withdrawn from the openings 100, 103 and the handle 97 is swung away from the main housing in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 17 of the drawings. The curved end 96 acting against the head 82 urges the plunger 81 from right-to-left as viewed in FIG. 17. The head 83 in contact with the probe 11 causes the probe 11 to break away from the receiver upon the automatic disengagement of latching means, as will appear more fully hereafter.

Referring now to FIG. 16 of the drawings, the probe 11 is secured to the flexible hose 12 by a'flange'collar 110, a clamping band 113, a rigid conduit 114, and a conventional coupling 115. A pair of collars 116, 117 of the trolley 18 are conventionally secured to the rigid conduit 114. The collar 116 includes a pair of upwardly directed spaced arms 120, 121 between which is journalled a guide roller 118. A similar roller 122 is journalled between arms (unnumbered) of the collar 117. An apertured projection 123 (FIGS. 6 and 16) of the arm serves as a point of attachment for the line 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). An inverted generally U-shaped bracket 125 (FIGS. 6) is connected to the arms 120, 121 of the collar 116 by bolts 126, 127. A guide roller 128 is journalled between arms (unnumbered) of the bracket 125 by a bolt 130. A generally identical inverted U-shaped bracket 131 is similarly connected by bolts (unnumbered) to arms (unnumbered) of the collar 117. A guide roller 132 is journalled in the bracket 131 while a projection 133 of the bracket 131 is provided for attaching the in-haul line 21 (FIG. 2) during an in-haul refueling operation. As is readily apparent from FIG. 16 of the drawings, the span wire 17 is confined between the opposing rollers 118, 128 and 122, 132 of the trolley 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 10 and 17 of the drawings, the probe 11 includes a main outer housing, body or shell and an inner housing, body or shell 141. An annular plate 142 surrounds an entrance end portion 143 of the inner shell 141 and is secured thereto by welding. The annular plate 142 is secured to the outer shell 140 by a plurality of bolts 144. The collar 110 leading from the rigid conduit 114 (FIG. 16) is secured to the annular plate 142 by means of a plurality of headed bolts 145 passed through apertures (unnumbered) in a flange 146 of the collar 110 and threadably secured in aligned threaded bores (unnumbered) of the plate 142.

A forward end portion 147 of the inner shell 141 includes a spider 148 defined by three webs 150, 151 and 152. Each web through 152 projects beyond an endmost edge 154 of the end portion 147 (FIGS. 7 and 17). Fluid directing webs 155,

156 and 157 (FIG. 9) are integrally formed between the webs a 150, 151; 151, 152 and 152, 150. The webs are generally triangular in configuration and progressively increase in size from the apex of the spider 148 until they merge in a generally annular wall portion 158. Adjacent ones of the webs 150, 151 and 152 and the respective webs through 157 therebetween define three fluid passages 160, 161 and 162 through which fuel flows in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrows in FIGS. 7 and 17 after the probe 11 has been coupled to the receiver 10 in a manner which will be more apparent hereafter.

The annular portion 158 of the spider 148 is of a step configuration and an annular sealing gasket 164 "is sandwiched between one of the annular steps (unnumbered) of the portion 158 and an annular stepped end portion 165 of a generally hemispherical nose 166. The nose 166 includes a projection 167 having a bore 168 in alignment with a threaded bore 170 of a projection 171 of the spider 148. A headed bolt 172 is freely received in the bore 168 and is threadably'secured in the threaded bore 170 to clampingly engage the gasket 164 between the annular portions 158, 165.

In the uncoupled position of the probe 11 a peripheral end face 174 of a sleeve 175 is urged into sealing contact with the gasket 164 by a compression spring 176 The sleeve 175 is in external telescopic relationship to the end portion 147 of the shell 141 and is annularly relieved at 180 toprovide an annular chamber 181 in which the compression spring 176 is the chamber 181 and an annular wall 183 of the inner shell 141. The sleeve 175 also includes outer annular shoulders 184, 185 positioned between the annular wall 182 of the chamber 181 and the peripheral face 174 and is sealed by the seal 189 on a circumscribed area equal to the circumscribed circular area of the seal 72 where the latter contacts the sleeve 175.

During the introduction of the probe llinto the receiver 10 the probe 11 eventually reaches the position diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings at which the shoulder 184 of the sleeve 175 contacts and forms a fluidtight seal with the annular gasket 72 of the receiver 10. The shoulder 185 of the sleeve 175 contacts a surface of the ring-74 and the ring 74 thereby serves as a stop to prevent the sleeve 175 from moving further into the receiver 10 during the continued movement of the probe. As the probe continues to move into the receiver the gasket 164 is moved away from the face 174 of the sleeve- 175 and a progressive opening of the passages 160 through 162 is achieved, as is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 15 of the drawings. During thissame progressive opening of the passages 160 through 162 the spring 176 is compressed by the movement of the shoulder 183 toward the .shoulder 182 of the chamber 181, until the spring 176 is fully compressed (FIG. 15). The spring 176 acts as a return spring to return the sleeve 175 from the open 'positionof FIG 15 to the closed position of FIG. 11, as will be more apparent hereafter. 7

During the refueling operation the fuel is under extremely high pressure and it acts against the peripheral shoulder or faces 174, 184 of the sleeve 175 in the direction of the headed arrows F in FIG. 17 of the drawings, thereby tending to urge the sleeve 175 from right-to-left in this figure. Unless otherwise provided for the forces F- acting against the faces 174, 184 of the sleeve 175 would urge the face 184 out of sealing contact with the gasket 72 as the spring 176 is additionally compressed. In order to overcome and compensate for this tendency of the flowing fuel to urge the sleeve out of seating contact with the seal 72 the inner shell 141 is provided with a plurality of ports 190 leading into the annular chamber 181. The ports 190 permit fuel under pressure to enter the chamber 181 and act against the annular shoulder 181 in the direction of the headed arrow F2 in FIG. 17 of the drawings. Because the circumscribed circular area of the shoulder 182 isequal to the combined circumscribed circular areas of the faces 174, 184 the forces acting in the direction of the arrow F2 are equal to those acting in the direction of the arrows F and the sleeve is fluid balanced by the fuel pressure. This fluid compensation assures that a complete and effective seal will be maintained at all times between the gasket 72 and the face 184 of the sleeve 175.

The probe 11 includes a plurality of identical latching means, generally designated by the reference numeral 200, which are carried by an axially slidable carrier or sleeve 201 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The carrier 201 is generally housed in an annular chamber 202 between the inner shell 14] and the outer shell 140. The carrier 201 includes a peripheral wall 203 closed at one end portion by an annular wall portion 204 and terminating at an opposite end portion 205 in a free peripheral edge 206. The end portion 205 of the carrier 201 is slidable on an annular surface 207 of an annular axially directed flange 208 carried by but in spaced relationship to an outer surface (unnumbered) of the inner shell 141 to define therewith an annular chamber 210 which functions to receive the sleeve 175 during the introduction of the probe into the receiver in the manner heretofore described.

A peripheral flange 211 of the annular wall portion 204 is likewise in sliding contact with an outer surface portion of the inner shell 141. I p

The end portion 205 of the carrier 201 is provided with six radially outwardly directed flanges 212, one for each of the latching means 200. Each flange 212 projects toward an ashoused. The spring 176 bears against an annular wall 182 of 75 sociated one of six generally rectangular openings 213 (FIGS. '7 and 17) formed in the outer shell 140. A latching body 214 is in turn pivotally secured to each flange 212 in a manner which will be best described by referring to FIGS. 7 and 10 of the drawings. Each body 214 includes a pair of spaced arms 215, 216 joined by an integral web portion 217 (FIG. 7). The anns 215, 216 are provided with aligned apertures 218, 219 respectively. A pin 220 is passed through the apertures 218, 219 and a bushing 221 received in a bore (unnumbered) of each flange-212. A pin 222 maintains these latter-noted elements in assembled relationship. Rollers 223, 224 (FIGS. 7 and 17 are journalled by respective pins (unnumbered) between the arms 215, 216 of each of the latching bodies 214.

In the uncoupled position of the probe 11 (FIG. 7) the latch bodies 214 of each of the latching means 200 is prevented from pivoting in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7 by means of an identical holddown mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral 230, associated with each latch body 214. Each holddown mechanism 230 includes an upwardly offset arm 231 carrying a contact block 232. Each arm 231 is secured to an arm 233 which is in turn carried by a cylinder 234. Each cylinder 234 is slidably received in an associated bore 235 formed in a thickened portion 239 of the annular wall 204 of the carrier 201. A spring 236 is housed in each bore 235 (FIG. 8) between an associated one of the cylinders 234 and an end cap 237 threaded or otherwise conventionally secured in each of the bores 235. As is readily apparent from FIG. 7 of the drawings, if the arm 231 is moved to the left against the bias of the spring 236 the arm 231 will eventually leave the upper surface of the web 217 and the latch body 214 will be free to pivot in a counterclockwise direction to a latching position thereof, as will be bully described hereafter.

Also associated with each of the latch bodies 214 is a cam member 250. Each cam member 250 is secured by bolts (unnumbered) to the peripheral flange 208 of the inner shell 141. Each cam member 250 includes generally normally disposed cam surfaces 251, 252 along which ride an associated one of the rollers 224. The particular operation of the cam members 250 and the rollers 224 will be described immediately hereafter, but it should be noted that the effect of the cam member 250 is to force each roller 224 outwardly from a generally annular chamber 253 defined by a shoulder portion 254 of the outer shell 140 toward a position more closely adjacent an associated one of the openings 213.

y In the coupled position of the receiver 10 and the probe 11, as is best illustrated in FIG. 17 of the drawings, means generally designated by the reference numeral 260 are provided for applying a latching force to each of the latching means 200.for maintaining the same in latched or coupled relationship with the latch shoulder 29 of the receiver 10. The means 260 include a plurality of springs 261, 262 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 17). The springs 261, 262 are housed in a chamber 263 defined .by the carrier 201, the annular wall portion 204 thereof, the peripheral wall 203 and an annular shoulder 264 of the inner shell 141. Both the springs 261, and the springs 262 are seated between the annular wall portion 204 of the carrier 201 and a ring 265 in the chamber 263 surrounding the inner shell 141. The springs 262 are accurately located by axially opposed bosses 266, 267 of the annular wall portion 204 and the ring 265, respectively, (FIG. 7). The springs 261 are similarly located by bosses 268, 270 which are in axially opposed relationship and include axially aligned bores 271, 272, respectively. A headed bolt 273 is received in each of a plurality of apertures 274 of the annular plate 142, and opposite end portions of each of the bolts 273 rest in bores 275. Each bolt 273 is in sliding relationship with its associated bore 271 and in threaded engagement with the bore 272.

The springs 261, 262 acting between the ring 265 and the carrier 201 continually bias the latter in a right-to-left direction as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 17 of the drawings. When the probe 11 is not coupled to the receiver 10, (FIG. 7) the carrier 201 is prevented from moving from right-to-left due to the engagement of the rollers 224 with each of the cam surfaces 251 and the arm 231 maintaining the latching means 200 in the unlatched position. However, during a latching or coupling operation which will 'be described 7 more fully hereafter, the latching means 200 are released, the cam roller 224 leaves the surface 251 and the carrier 201 is no longer precluded from shifting from right-to-left under the influence of the springs 26]. 262, as illustrated in FIG. 17 of the drawings. In this position each of the latching rollers 223 is in engagement with the latching seat 29 of the receiver 10 and are forcefully maintained in this position under the influence of the springs 261, 262 urging the carrier to the leftmost position thereof in FIG. 17.

The biasing force of the springs 261, 262 can be regulated by threading-the bolts 273 into or out of the threaded bores 272 of the ring 265. For example, if it is desired to increase the biasing force of the springs 261, 262 the bolts 273 are threaded to reduce the distance between the ring 265 and the annular wall portions 204, thereby foreshortening the springs and increasing the biasing forces thereof. Opposite rotation of each of the'screws 273 would similarly lengthen the springs and decrease the biasing forces.

When the probe and receiver are coupled together (FIG. 17) and there is no internal fluid pressure present ittakes a 2,500 pound pull on the line 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to compress the springs 261, 262 to begin an unlatching procedure. When there is internal fluid pressure present in the probe and receiver it acts on these parts across an effective area defined by either of seals 72 or 189 tending to separate the same. Therefore, if there were no compensation for this pressure. the 2,500 pound force to compress the springs 261, 262 would be'reduced by the amount of separating force provided by internal fluid pressure.

To compensate for the internal fluid pressure tending to uncouple the probe and receiver, the chamber .263 (FIG. 17 which is sealed by packings 281 and 282 is placed into fluid communication with the interior of the inner shell 141 by means of a plurality of ports 280. Fluid under pressure in the annular chamber 263 acts rightwardly (see FIG. 15 )against the annular shoulder 264. The area of annular shoulder 264 is equal to the area circumscribed by either of the seals 72 and 189 and therefore fluid actingrightwardly on shoulder 264, when the parts are fully coupled as .in *FIG. 15, counterbalances the fluid pressure acting leftwardly within the probe tending to separate it from the receiver. At the same time, fluid pressure in chamber 263 acts leftwardly on carrier 201 on a like area. This load is transmitted by the carrier 201 and the webs 217 to the rollers 223 and then to the shoulder 29 of the receiver. Springs 261 continue to exert their full force between the boss 270 and the carrier 201 so that the full mechanical pull of 2,500 pounds is requiredto collapsethe spring to effect separation of the probe and receiver. Because the area of shoulder? is equal to the area circumscribed by either of the seals 72'or189', the counterbalancing fluid pressure force on shoulder 264 is always equal to the separating force exerted on the probe by the fluid pressure regardless of the magnitude of the latter; This prevents accidental disengagement of the probe 11 and the receiver 10 unless a pull of 2,500 pounds or over is placed on the probe 11 as bypulling on the line 20. Without this compensation the internal pressure during a fueling operation would by transmitted to spring 261 and correspondingly reduce the amount of pull required to begin the uncoupling procedureand thus make'accidental separationof' the probe and receiver more likely and easier.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 15 of the drawings, the probe 11.is introduced into the receiver 10 in the manner schematically illustrated to 'slide the sleeve to an open position in the manner heretofore described. During the introduction of the probe 11 into the receiver 10 the latch rolle 's-223 of each of the latching means 200-ride along the inclined shoulder 39 of the receiver 10'to depress the arms 217 (FIG. 11) to remove the load on the arms 231 of the mechanisms 230. Continued movement of the probe 11 brings the contact body 232 of each of the mechanism 230 into engagement with the peripheral shoulder 240 (FIG. 12) of the receiver. As the probe continues to advance the arms 231 are prevented from advancing by the contact thereof with the shoulder 240 and the webs 217 are subsequently freed of each of the overlying arms 231 (FIG. 13). Each of the rollers 224 are urged upwardly by the cam surfaces 251 as the latching rollers 223 reach the peripheral latching seat 29 (FIG. 13) until the rollers 224 ride up upon the cammingsurfaces 252 at which time the latching rollers 223 are moved into contact against the latching seat 29 (P16. 14). The springs 261, 262 urge the carrier 201 from right-to-left in FIG. 15 causing the probe 11 to be introduced further into the receiver and the latching rollers 223 to be fully locked in the latched position by the engagement of the rollers 224 with the associated cam surfaces 252 (FIG.

During the introduction of the probe 11 into the receiver 10, the shoulder portion 254 of the outer shell 140 contacts the end 65 of the member 64 (FIG. 5) in the manner heretofore described to begin pivoting each of the bodies 51 of the indicating means 50 to the phantom outline position in FIG. S. If complete coupling between the probe and the receiver is not effected in the manner diagrammaticallyillustrated in F IO. 15 of the drawings, the bodies 51 will never reach the phantom outline position illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby indicating an incomplete coupling between the probe 11 and .the receiver 10.

The uncoupling sequence of the probe 11 and the receiver 10 is the reverse of that described relative to FIGS. 11 through 15. However, in addition to pulling the line to draw the probe 11 outwardly of the receiver 10, the pin 104 (FIG. 3) is removed from the aperture 100 and the projection 98 of the handle 93 and the latter is pulled to urge the plunger 81 from right-to-left as viewed in FIG. 17 of the drawing. This additional force applied to the nose 166 of the probe 11 augments the force applied to the line 20 and facilitates the uncoupling of the probe and receiver. 1

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provisions have been made for carrying out the desired end. However attention is again directed to the fact that additional variations may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

lclaim:

1. A refueling device comprising a probe element and a receiver element each having a passage therethrough, one of the elements having an abutment, latching means onthe other element movable between a latched position in which it engages the abutment for couplingthe probe element to the receiver element and an unlatched position in which it isdisengaged from the abutment to permit uncoupling of the probe element from the receiver element, means responsive to separating movement of the probe element and the receiver element for permitting movement of the latch means to its unlatched position, yieldable means for resisting said separating movement when the latch means is in its latched position coupling the probe element to the receiver element, and means responsive to fluid pressure within the device for substantially compensating separating forces imposed by such fluid pressure upon the coupled probe element and receiver element whereby fluid pressure within the device is substantially ineffective for causing said separating movement.

2. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said compensating means is in part defined by a reaction surface of said probe element against which fluid forcesact in a direction tending to maintain the latched position of the probe element and the receiver element. I

3. The refueling device as defined in claim 2 including movable means carrying said latching means, said movable means and said reaction surface in part define chamber means exteriorly of said probe element, and passage means for introducing fluid from the passage of said-prove element, into the chamber means whereby said fluid forces act against said reaction surface.

4. The refueling device as defined in claim 3 wherein said yieldable means is housed within said chamber means.

5. The refueling device as defined in claim 3 wherein said latching means is pivotally mounted upon and carried by said movable means, and said yieldable means is housed within said chamber means.

6. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 including movable means carrying said latching-means, said latching means, being pivotally mounted upon said movable means.

7. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 including means carried by said probe element for maintaining said latching means in said unlatched position, and means carried by said receiver element for disabling said maintaining means during relative movement of said probe element and receiver element toward the latched position thereby releasing said latching means for engagement with said abutment.

8. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 including movable means carrying said latching means, said latching means ispivotally mounted upon and carried by said movable means, said latching means includes cam follower means, and said movement permitting means is a cam surface of said probe element along which said cam follower means moves in a direction toward said probe element passage during relative separating movement between the probeelement and the receiver element.

9. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 including movable means carrying said latching means, said latching means being pivotally mounted upon said moving means, said latching means includes cam follower means, said movement permitting means is a cam surface of said probe element along which said cam follower means moves in a direction toward said probe element passage during relative separating movement between the probe element and the receiver element, and said probe element includes another cam surface acting through said cam follower means for holding said latch means in engagement with said abutment in said latched position.

10. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiver element includes a'housing, an opening in said housing, means for visually indicating whether or not said probe element and receiver element are in the latched position thereof, said indicating means includes an indicating member projectable into said chamber throughsaid opening in a position for being contactingly engaged by saidprobe element during introduction thereof into said chamber, and means mounting said indicating member for pivotal movement between first and second positions both visible from the exterior of said housing for indicated respective unlatched and latched positions of said probe element andlsaid receiver element.

II. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiver element includes a housing, an opening in said housing, means for visually indicating whether ornot said probe element and receiver element are in the latched position thereof, said indicating means includes an indicating member projectable into said chamber through said opening in a position for being contactingly engaged by said probe element during introduction thereof into said chamber, means mounting said indicating member for pivotal movement between first and second positions both visible from the exterior of said housing for indicated respective unlatched and latched positions of said probe element and said receiver element, and a finger mounted for sliding movement relative to said indicating member.

12. The refueling device as defined-in claim 1 whereinsaid during introduction thereof into said chamber, means mounting said indicating member for pivotal movement between first and second positions both visible from the exterior of said housing for'indicated respective unlatched and latched positions of said probe element and said receiver element, means 3,5 Ilil normally urging said indicating member to its first position, a finger mounted for sliding movement relative to a bore in said indicating member, and biasing means in said bore normally urging said finger outwardly of said bore.

13. The refueling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said receiver element includes a housing portion defining a chamber, said probe element includes a nose received in said chamber in the latched position of said probe element and said receiver element, and means carried by said housing portion for applying an axial force upon said nose to cause unlatching of said probe element and said receiver element, said force applying means being a plunger mounted for axial sliding movement in a bore of said housing portion.

14. The refueling device as defined in claim 13 wherein said plunger includes an end disposed exteriorly of said housing, a

- handle pivotally mounted upon said receiver element, and said handle having an end overlying said plunger end whereby forces applied to said handle are transferred to said plunger through said ends.

15. A probe element comprising a body having a passage therethrough, latching means carried by said body and being movable between a latched position in which it is adapted to engage an abutment of a receiver element for coupling the probe element to the receiver element and an unlatched position in which it is adapted for disengagement from the abutment to permit uncoupling of the probe element from the receiver element, means responsive to separating movement of the probe element relative to a receiver element for per mitting movement of the latch means to its uniatched position, yieldable means for resisting said separating movement when the latch means is in its latched position, and means responsive to fluid pressure within the probe element for substantially compensating separating forces imposed by such fluid pressure upon the probe element and the receiver element when in latched position whereby fluid pressure within the device is substantially ineffective for causing said separating movement.

16. The probe element as defined in claim 15 wherein said compensating means is in part defined by a reaction surface of said probe element against which fluid forces act in a direction tending to maintain the latched position ofthe probe element.

17. The probe element as defined in claim l6 including movable means carrying said latching means, said movable means and said reaction surface in part defining chamber means exteriorly of said probe element, and passage means for introducing fluid from the passage of said probe element into the chamber means whereby said fluid forces act against said reaction surface.

18. The probe element as defined in claim 17 wherein said yieldable means is housed within said chamber means.

'19. The probe element as defined in claim 17 wherein said latching means is pivotally mounted upon and carried by said movable means, and said yieldable means is housed within said chamber means.

20. The probe element as defined in claim 15 including movable means carrying said latching means, and said latching means being pivotally mounted upon said movable means.

21. The probe element as defined in claim 15 including means carried by said probe element for maintaining said latching means in said unlatched position, said maintaining means being adapted for operation by an abutment of an associated receiver element for disabling said maintaining means during relative movement of said probe element and a receiver element toward'the latched position thereby releasing said latching means.

22. The probe element as defined in claim 15 including movable means carrying said latching-means, said latching means being pivotally mounted upon and carried by said movable means, said latchingxmeans includes cam follower means, and said movement permitting means is a cam surface of said probe element along which said cam follower means moves in a direction toward.said'probe element passage during relative separating movement between the probe element and an associated receiver element. v

23. The probe element as defined in claim 15 including movable means carrying said latching means, said latching means being pivotally mounted upon said moving'r'neans, said latching means includes cam follower means, said movement permitting means is a cam surface of said probe element along which said cam follower means moves in a direction toward said probe element passage during relative separating movement between the probe element and an associated receiver element, and said probe element includes another cam surface acting through said cam follower means for holding said latch means in said latched position.

24. A receiver element comprising a housing, an opening in said housing, means for visually indicating whether or not a probe element adapted for insertion into said housing is'in a latched position thereof, said indicating means including an indicating member projectable-into said chamber through said opening in a position for being contactingly engaged by a probe element during the introduction thereof into said chamber, and means mounting said indicating member for pivotal movement between first and second positions both visible from the exterior of said housing for indicatingrespective unlatched and latched positions of said receiver element.

25. The receiver element as defined'in'claim 24 including a finger mounted for sliding movement relative to said indicating member.

26. The receiver element, as defined inclaim 24 including means normally urging said indicating member'to its first position, a bore in said housing in which said finger is mounted for sliding movement, and biasing means in said bore normally urging said finger outwardly thereof.

27. A receiver element comprising a housing portion defining a chamber adapted to receive a nose of a probe element, a passage in fluid communication with said chamber, means carried by said housing portion for applying an axial force upon the probe element nose to cause unlatching of the probe ele ment, and said force applying means being a plunger mounted for axial sliding movement in a bore of said housing portion with the axis of said bore being generally parallel to the axis of said passage. I

28. The receiver element as defined in claim 27 wherein said plunger includes an end disposed exteriorly of said housing, a handle pivotally mounted upon said receiver element, and said handle having an end overlying said plunger end whereby forces applied to said handle are transferred to said plunger through said ends. 

